Last updated: 2003-01-20
Sequencer | Tracks | Patterns | Songs | Phrases | Mute | MIDI outs | Note memory | Screen size | Storage | Sync | Comment |
Akai ASQ-10 | 99 | 99 | 20 | No | No | 4(64) | 60 000 | 40 x 8 | 3.5" FD | MC SPP MTC SMPTE etc | Also: SCSI, 2 Foot switches inputs, metronome out, Internal HD (Optional?). Older firmware versions only have 16 Midi channes in total. |
Alesis MMT-8 | 8 | 99 | 99 | No | Yes | 1 | 10 000 | 16 x 2 | SysEx; Tape | MC SPP FSK | Click out, Start/Stop pedal input. |
Brother PDC100 Pro | 32 | No | 1 | 32 | No | 1 | 21 000 | 16 x 2 | 3.5" FD | MC |
|
Doepfer MAQ16/3 | 3 | 32 | None | No | By MIDI | 1 | N/A | 3 x 1 | None | MC | Step sequencer. Also has CV/Gate outs for control of analog synthesizers. |
FutureRetro Mobius | 1 | 256 | 16 | No | No | 1 | N/A | 4 x 1 | None | MC | Step sequencer. Also has CV/Gate outs for control of analog synthesizers. |
Kawai Q-30 | 1 | 4 | No | No | No | 1 | 6 500 | None | None |
| No editing |
Kawai Q-50 | 4 | No |
| No |
|
|
| 3 x 1 | 2.8" FD |
| No editing |
Kawai Q-80 | 32 | ? | 10 | 100 | Yes | 1 | 26 000 |
| 3.5" FD | MC SPP FSK |
It is unclear whether the 'motifs' in these sequencers are pattern or phrases, they are possibly both. :-) The sequencers are primarily linear, but motifs may have pattern-like functionality. More info from current owners are welcome. |
Kawai Q-80EX | 32 | ? | 10 | 1000 | Yes | 2 | 52 000 |
| 3.5" FD | MC SPP FSK | |
Kawai Q-80EXe | 32 | ? | 10 | 1000 | Yes | 2 | 100 000 |
| 3.5" FD | MC SPP FSK | |
Korg SQ-8 | 8 |
|
|
|
|
| 6 500 |
| 2.8" FD |
|
|
Korg SQD-1 | 2 |
|
|
|
|
| 15 000 |
| 2.8" FD |
|
|
Korg SQD-8 | 8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| None |
| Limited editing |
Latronic Notron | 4 | 16 | 16 |
|
| 1 | 30 000 | 20 x 2 | SysEx? | MC | Step sequencer aimed at live manipulation. More. |
Roland MC-300 / MC-500 | 4 (1 | No |
| No | No | 2(16) | 30 000 | 20 x 2 | 3.5" FD |
| The MC-300 is a cheaper version of the MC-500 with rubber buttons and cheaper case. |
Roland MC-500 mkII | 8 (1 | No |
| No | Yes | 2(16) | 100 000 | 20 x 2 | 3.5" FD |
|
|
Roland MC-50 | 8 (2 | No | 8 | No | Yes | 2(32) | 40 000 | 20 x 2 | 3.5" FD | Smart(?) FSK |
|
Roland MC-50 mkII | 8 (2 |
| 8 |
| Yes |
| 40 000 | 20 x 2 | 3.5" FD | Smart FSK | Like MC-50 but with small improvements in editing and more sync options |
Roland MC-80 | 16 (2 |
| 1 | Yes | Yes | 2(32) | 118 000 | 320 x 80* | 3.5" FD | MC MMC MTC | Also: Arpeggiator, Footswitch; Options: HD, ZIP, VE-GSPro |
Roland | 8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| None | DCB |
|
Roland PR-100 | 4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 3.5" FD |
| Limited editing |
Yamaha QX1 | 8 | No |
|
|
| 8 | 80 000 |
| 5.25" FD | MC FSK |
|
Yamaha QX3 | 16 | No |
| Yes | Yes |
| 48 000 | 40 x 2 | 3.5" FD | MC FSK |
|
Yamaha QX5 | 8 | No | 1 | 32 |
|
| 15-20 000 | 16 x 2 | Tape | MC FSK |
|
Yamaha QX7 / QX21 | 2 |
|
|
|
|
| 6000-8100 |
|
| MC | The QX21 is a cheaper version of the QX7. |
Sequencer | Tracks | Patterns | Songs | Phrases | Mute | MIDI outs | Note memory | Screen size | Storage | Sync | Comment |
Comments:
Tracks: Some sequencers have non-note tracks for special data in addition to the standard tracks.
The notes mean:
1: A drum track for drum patterns
2: A drum track for drum patterns and a tempo track
Phrases: Triggering of prerecorded sequences anywhere in song. Also called "Motifs" (Kawai), "Macros" (Yamaha), "RPS/Real Time Phrase Sequence" (Roland)
Mute: Mute and unmute several tracks simultaneously while running (good for live situations, requires dedicated or semi-dedicated mute buttons).
MIDI Outs: The number within the paranthesis is the total number of MIDI channels possible.
Screen size: Noted in charactes, except for where marked with *, where it is noted in pixels.
Sync: The abbreviations mean this:
MC: MIDI Clock
SPP: MIDI Clock with Song Position Pointer
MMC: MIDI Machine Control
MTC: MIDI Time Code
DCB: Roland DIN sync
FSK: Tape sync
Smart FSK: Tape sync with song position pointer
SMPTE: Hi-tech standardized tape sync.